St. Pierre, 55, reflects on those topics during his day job as a probation officer at New Bedford District Court.

"After so many years in the court, things affect you," he said.

But combined with a guitar and harmonica, those gritty everyday realities provide material for a unique discussion group that St. Pierre leads twice a month at area halfway houses.

"I don't try to write songs for the program, but certain songs lend themselves to these discussions," said St. Pierre, who performed three tunes recently for 17 residents of Monarch House, a women's halfway house in New Bedford.

The women, most of them in their 20s and 30s, sat around chairs and tables in a small, cramped, dimly lit room. Most listened, a few stared off into space, as St. Pierre talked about his 25 years of probation work, his own struggles with alcohol and a mentor who changed his life.

St. Pierre then sang a two-minute tune about a relationship gone bad. Afterward, he asked if any of the women could relate. Most of them said yes.

"I get rid of people before they can hurt me," said one woman.

One resident, named Victoria, said she learned defense mechanisms cause people to miss out on life.

"You put up a wall to keep people out, but at the same time, you cage yourself in," she said.

The discussion went on for a few more minutes, with more women weighing in. One shared how she had experienced an unhealthy dependency in a prior relationship. Another said she believed the song showed "things can get better."

The exchange was an example of the life-changing power St. Pierre believes literature and music possess.

"Music is just the hook for the discussion," said St. Pierre, whose musically driven discussion group, called Inspiring Stories, developed from his involvement in Changing Lives Through Literature, a program that introduces inmates to the works of classical and modern authors.

The idea is that people will rethink their lives as they reflect on books such as Ernest Hemingway's "The Old Man and the Sea," or a short tune about someone who gets "dumped" and looks for an "angel of mercy" in a bar.

"Hopefully my story will inspire them to tell their own stories," said St. Pierre, who told the women last week that they could "re-story" their lives.

"I do think people can change," he said.

Rebekah, 21, a Brockton native who will stay at Monarch House for another month or so, said she found St. Pierre's approach "therapeutic."

"It makes you feel so much better talking about this stuff," she said.

Victoria, 30, said the songs "bring up issues that need to be dealt with."

"It's about dealing with situations in our lives that we're not comfortable," said Victoria, who described how temptation had led her into drug addiction and lowered inhibitions.

She was responding to one of St. Pierre's songs that told the story of someone trying to be good, but missing the mark.

"Why is it hard to be good?" he asked.

"It's not hard once you get into the habit," one woman said.

Another resident, who said she struggled with intimacy and abandonment issues after a lifetime of physical and sexual abuse, said the song reminded her to let go of her addiction.

Her message dovetailed with the last song, which focused on living in the moment, and forgiveness.

"You can let go of the baggage you're carrying with you," St. Pierre said.

"Just let it go."

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.